Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Research Interests

• AI and machine learning in structural analysis and design
• Computational uncertainty/stochastic mechanics
• Composite materials and structures
• Structural optimization and metamaterial design
• Infrastructure and building safety against natural hazards
• Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire
• Engineered cementitious composite materials

National Research Grants

• W Gao, D Ruan, Z Luo; Experiment-numerical-virtual generative design of nondeterministic impacts; ARC (Australian Research Council) Discovery (DP240102559); 2024-2026
• W Gao, X Tan; Developmet of computational tool for data-driven structural safety assessment and service life prediction, ARC Linkage-ARC Research Hub (IH210100048) sub-project; 2022-2027
• W Gao, CW Yang; Circular economy-oriented analysis and design for energy-saving materials    and structures; ARC Linkage-ARC Research Hub (IH200100010) sub-project; 2021-2026
• Z Luo, W Gao, P Walker, M Wang; Topological design of mechanical meta-structures; ARC Discovery (DP210101353); 2021-2023
• W Gao, D Wu, YX Zhang, GY Li, YM Chen; Performance assessment and optimal design for nano and composite structures; ARC Linkage-ARC Research Hub (IH150100006) sub-project; 2017-2022
• W Gao, Y-L Pi, S Tangaramvong; Unified nondeterministic dynamic safety assessment of softening structures; ARC Discovery (DP160103919); 2016-2018
• W Gao, Y-L Pi, F Tin-Loi; Stochastic geometrically nonlinear elasto-plastic buckling and behaviour of curved grid-like structures; ARC Discovery (DP140101887); 2014-2016
• CM Song, W Gao, Y-L Pi; A high-performance stochastic scaled boundary finite-element framework for safety assessment of structures susceptible to fracture; ARC Discovery (DP130102934); 2013-2015
• CM Song, W Gao, W Becker; Non-deterministic fracture analysis of structures by extending the scaled boundary finite-element method; ARC Discovery (DP1094451); 2010-2012
• N Zhang, W Gao; Quantitative analysis of dynamic performance of vehicles with uncertain system parameters and road inputs; ARC Discovery (DP0988429); 2009-2011

Research Projects for Future PhD Students

• AI and machine learning assisted structural analysis and design
• Smart, sustainable and resilient structural design
• Data-driven structural reliability assessment and service-life prediction
• Stochastic elasto-plastic, fracture and fatigue nonlinear analysis
• Infrastructure and building fire safety
• Robust safety/ reliability-based design of composite structures
• Durability and safety of nano-enhanced building materials

Editorial Boards

• Modelling | An International Journal (Editor-in-Chief)
• Engineering Structures (Associate Editor)
• Applied Mathematical Modelling (Subject Editor)
• Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering (Advisory Board)
• Nanotechnology Reviews (Advisory Board)
• Machines (Advisory Board)
• Composites Part B Engineering (Board Member, 2013-2019)